Riparian planting

Rivers and streams are the ecological veins of the British countryside, connecting our landscapes and providing a wealth of vital farming and biodiversity services.

Our watercourses face many threats, but planting trees along their edges can improve the health of these habitats while offering a host of benefits for farms and the environment.

What is riparian planting?

Riparian planting is the strategic placement of trees and shrubs along the banks of rivers and streams. When approached correctly, this form of planting can be designed in a way which delivers maximum impact for farmland, water quality and nature.

Benefits of riparian planting

One of the key benefits riparian planting provides is flood prevention. Trees and other vegetation help reduce soil erosion and stabilise riverbanks with their roots, preventing rivers from encroaching onto farmland. They also help by:

• trapping soil that might otherwise wash away, reducing sediment and nutrient buildup in the water
• slowing down surface runoff during heavy rain, mitigating peak flows and reducing the risk of downstream flooding
• making use of marginal land, providing environmental and wildlife benefits at minimal cost to farm productivity
• providing shade to keep rivers cool, offering vital protection to aquatic ecosystems.

What to consider for riparian planting

The most suitable method of riparian planting will vary on a site-by-site basis. Depending on site constraints and opportunities, the recommended minimum widths for riparian planting are:

• 10 metres along channels less than two metres wide
• 20 metres along watercourses more than two metres wide, or along lakes and wetlands
• 50 metres around boreholes, springs or other water abstraction points.

You'll also need to bear in mind that consent may be needed from relevant bodies for certain tree planting along main watercourses, and an uncultivated buffer zone is mandatory next to watercourses.

Whatever the scale of your project, the following planting design tips can be used as inspiration.

Plant willow stands

On areas of floodplain that flood often, planting dense willow stands will stabilise riverbanks, reduce erosion and create a source of wood debris, which is important for river health. This form of planting should not occur above bridges or buildings.

Manage canopy cover

Trees on riverbanks provide shade and structure for habitats in the river and on the bank, while also acting as a source of leaf litter for the river's nutrient cycle. However, canopy cover should not extend to more than half of the river channel.

Encourage natural regeneration

Natural regeneration is a great way to create riparian woodland without the labour or resource. It encourages trees that are well adapted to the site to tolerate the wet habitat. This is suitable for areas with low browsing pressure or in a fenced-off area with a nearby seed source.

Protect large trees

Riparian planting can connect and extend existing woodland habitats on the farm, creating diverse wildlife corridors. Large trees on riverbanks have to be managed accordingly to prevent them from collapsing.

This work has been supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery.